Love Inspired Suspense June 2014 Bundle 1 of 2: Undercover Marriage\Collateral Damage\Forgotten Past (39 page)

She could tell from Will's reaction this didn't sit well with him. “I'll see if I can find out something from the owner. Maybe she'll remember who ordered the roses. I take it they don't have any particular meaning for you?”

“I hate to sound like a broken record, but I don't know. I have no idea why he sent them. For an instant, when I first saw them, well, I thought I recognized something about them, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe I just want to remember something...anything.”

Will hesitated then said, “Up until now, it appears he wanted to keep you frightened and running for your life. That's changed. He's figured out you're actually talking to someone, maybe even remembering something from the attack, which means he's scared.”

“Go on,” she said, listening as if her life depended on it.

“Well, he knows what's locked away in your memory is enough to put him behind bars for a long time. Now that you've turned to us for help, he's going to feel even more threatened. Whatever reason he had to let you live in the past is suddenly null and void. You're a liability now.”

As the reality of what Will said finally sank in, Faith wondered if she had just made the worst mistake of her life by asking for help.

Dear God, she hoped not.

JT squeezed her hand again. “You did the right thing, Faith. Remember, you're not alone anymore. You have us. We're not going to let anything happen to you.”

She desperately wanted to believe him, but she'd seen firsthand how dangerous her assailant could be...and how determined. For over two years, he'd patiently stalked her as an animal stalked its prey. He'd proven he wasn't going away until one of them was dead.

She was barely holding it together as it was. She couldn't stand it if anything happened to JT or Will because she'd reached out to them for help.

“I'll have a couple of my men stationed outside the house tonight. I promise you'll be safe,” Will added when he saw her frightened expression. “I can't even fathom how traumatic this has been for you, Faith, but one thing is bothering me. How does he keep finding you? Have you kept in touch with anyone from your old life? A friend, someone from work maybe. Anyone who might have unknowingly given away your whereabouts to the stalker?”

Admitting she was all alone in the world was hard. When she first got home from the hospital, she had no idea what her life had been like before. What she liked, what she didn't, so she'd dug into her past prior to the attack. Faith discovered she'd lived a very solitary life, working from home as an accountant. She didn't know her neighbors and had very little contact with the outside world. With the exception of Ollie, Rachel Jennings might very well have been her only friend.

“No. There's no one.”

Will glanced at JT. “I don't like it. There has to be some way he's keeping track of Faith. Is this the same cell phone you've had since Austin?”

His question surprised her. She hadn't considered the possibility he might track her through her phone. “Yes it is, but I've changed my number each time I've moved. Do you think that's how he's able to keep finding me?”

“I don't know, but it would certainly make sense. I'm going to have one of my techs check the phone for any tracking devices.” Will grabbed his cell phone and spoke briefly to someone. “Do I have your consent to have your calls traced?”

“Of course,” she agreed. “Anything you need.”

“Good. If we can keep him on the line long enough, we might be able to find out where he is.”

A huge weight lifted from her shoulders and hope took root. She quickly quashed it. It was too soon. She'd lived in fear for too long.

While the tech set up his equipment to check her phone for a possible tracking device, the enormity of what had taken place there today finally sank in. She desperately needed a moment alone.

She rose to her feet. “I could use some coffee. Would anyone else like some?”

Both men nodded in unison.

“Let me help you,” JT offered.

“No, it's okay...I can get it. I'll be right back.” She hurried away before he could say anything else.

The kitchen was empty although several officers worked outside. For the time being, she was safe. Her stalker surely wouldn't try anything with so many law enforcement personnel around. Releasing a slow, steady breath, Faith got out the coffee supplies, and went about making a fresh pot.

As she waited for coffee to brew, she struggled to make sense of the shadowy images coming more frequently. Since she'd stopped taking the meds prescribed for her at the hospital, things were becoming clearer. At times, she could almost see his face.

Her fingers shook as she poured the coffee into three cups.

“How are you holding up?” JT asked from the doorway. She hadn't heard him come in.

It took longer than she wished to steady her voice. “I'm fine. Did the tech find anything?”

JT shook his head. “No. He did a thorough sweep. There's no tracking device on the phone.”

She sighed impatiently. “Then how does he keep finding me?”

“I don't know.”

JT came into the room, took the cups from her and set them on the counter. He was so close. She could feel his warm breath against her face. His thumb stroked her cheek and she closed her eyes. She liked having him near, feeling his touch. Leaning on his strength.

“I know this is hard,” he said gently.

It
was
hard, but having him in her corner made it so much easier. “Yes, but I'm all right...I'll be all right.”

He grinned at her. “Ready?”

She was. She was ready to move beyond the darkness of the past two years. Ready for some happiness in her life.

JT picked up the cups and she trailed behind him to the great room.

“Thanks.” Will accepted the coffee from JT, then he nodded at Faith. “I won't lie, the fact that we hit a dead end with the tracking device was a setback, but there has to be
some
way this guy keeps finding you. It took some doing, but I was able to put a trace on your cell phone right away. When he calls again we'll be ready for him.”

“Let's hope he calls,” JT told them grimly. “Because right now, nothing about this guy fits with what I've read about stalkers.”

“I have to agree.” Will's tone was tense. “I've worked dozens of stalking cases and there is always a history of some type. A love affair gone bad. Advances spurned by the victim. In cases not involving celebrities, I've never heard of someone stalking a person without having some unrequited interest in them. Unfortunately, your inability to remember your past puts us at a disadvantage. We don't know what we're up against.”

His gaze bore into hers. She had a feeling he knew she hadn't told him everything.

“I know this has been hard for you, and I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but I need you to understand something. This is going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better.” Will didn't try to sugarcoat his words. “I can tell you one thing with absolute confidence—once this guy feels cornered, the violence will continue to escalate. We do have a slight edge, though. We know it's coming and there are things you can do to protect yourself.”

He gave her a moment to process what he'd said.

“Such as?” Faith asked.

“For starters, I don't want you to leave the house. If you need something, ask for it. We'll get it for you.”

She'd given up so much of her life already. Now she had to become a prisoner in her own home? How much more freedom did she have to relinquish?

“I've put my best officers on the house, but I'm going to suggest something as a precaution. JT, can you show her the proper way to use a weapon? At this point, we can't afford to be too careful. I'd rather you know how to take care of yourself just in case.”

Faith struggled to collect her thoughts. This was really happening. She'd chosen to stop running and fight. There was no turning back now.

FOUR

“C
an I talk to you for a second?” Will asked.

JT could tell from the inflection in his friend's voice there was something he wanted to tell him in private. “Sure.” He turned to Faith. “I'll be right back.”

“Okay,” she said and closed her eyes. She looked ready to drop. Rehashing the details of her attack had taken its toll.

JT shut the door quietly and followed Will back to the kitchen.

“I didn't want to say this in front of Faith, but I won't be able to keep my officers here indefinitely. Let's hope we can figure out who's doing this soon, otherwise...” Will threw up his hands. “We're short-staffed as it is. I heard a little while ago they've just upgraded Tropical Storm Tyler to a hurricane and it appears to be heading right for us. If it stays on course, it should reach landfall by late Tuesday evening or possibly Wednesday morning, and we could be facing an all-out evacuation of the island.”

JT let out a low whistle. That meant they had two days to figure out who was stalking Faith.

Will concentrated on the activity going on outside the kitchen window. “She hasn't told us everything. Any police officer worth his badge would have taken a complaint from an assault victim very seriously. Something doesn't add up.”

JT had thought the same thing. “You're right. She's holding something back.”

“She trusts you, JT. You need to get her to open up. Find out what she's keeping from us.” He rubbed a hand across his face. “This guy's had a two-year head start on us, and the clock's ticking. We need to know the whole story and soon.”

JT shrugged. “I'll do my best. I've asked Derek to check into her past to see what he can find out.” Will shot him a surprised look. “Call it a gut feeling, but when I brought her dog back last night, I could see that she was terrified of something.”

“Good idea. I'll do what I can to help, but we don't have much to go on and I can't tie up the additional manpower for long with what we do have.” Will pointed toward the window. “We're about done here. I've ordered the truck towed to the police impound lot. We'll continue going over it, but I don't think we'll find anything.”

JT clasped the chief's hand. “Thanks. I know this is the last thing you need right now, but I appreciate your help.”

“No problem. We'll monitor her cell. Undoubtedly, he'll keep calling.”

JT groaned when he spotted his sister's battered, old VW Bug pull into the driveway out front. Liz's arrival didn't surprise him much. As a former Hope Island police officer, Liz still monitored most of the calls coming over the police scanner and she was up very early every morning to see her husband Sam, a local fisherman, off to work. His sister had probably been on her second pot of coffee when the call came in.

Will noticed Liz a second later. “You're in trouble now. She's found out you're part of this. She's going to want to know what's going on. I think that's my cue to leave.”

Liz swung open the front door and stepped inside. She located her brother right away and ignored Will's “Good morning” entirely.

“Are you all right?” she asked as she rushed to his side. At almost six feet tall, blonde and physically fit, Liz had a way of capturing attention whenever she entered a room.

Today, she'd pulled her honey-blond hair up into a makeshift ponytail and thrown a jacket over her gray sweatpants and T-shirt. JT couldn't help but chuckle at his big sister's concern, even though at times she made him feel as if he were still ten years old instead of a thirty-three-year-old, successful businessman.

“I'm fine, Liz. What are you doing here?”

Her blue eyes filled with worry. “I heard the distress call go out for this address. I got in touch with Terry and he told me you called it in. What on earth happened? Are you all right?”

The last thing he needed right now was to try to explain the situation to Liz. “I'm fine. You didn't need to make a trip over here.”

She arched one perfectly manicured brow at him. Liz always could see right through his bunk. “Don't be ridiculous, brother. You are not talking to a rookie. Something big happened here this morning. There wouldn't be this much police presence if it were nothing.”

Will rolled his eyes, waved and stepped outside. JT watched as his friend got into his car and left.

There was a time before Ellie's birth and his sister's subsequent decision to quit the force that Liz had been next in line to take over Will's current position as chief of police. It had been a hard decision, but one Liz had never once regretted. Still, she enjoyed keeping up with the happenings of the island by listening to the police scanner. She probably knew more about the island then JT did.

“Someone took a couple of shots at me.” Liz's mouth flew open. “But I'm fine,” he quickly reassured her. “Faith, the house's new tenant, called me when she thought she had a prowler. When I got here, someone started firing shots off. We're still trying to figure out what's going on.”

“Good grief. You could have been killed! What kind of trouble is this woman in?”

Close by, someone cleared their throat. JT and Liz both turned and spotted Faith standing in the kitchen doorway. Neither of them had heard her come in. He could only imagine how she'd taken Liz's comments. His sister at least had the good grace to appear embarrassed. In spite of Liz's impetuous tongue, she was one of the kindest people he knew.

All the fight went out of Liz and she went over to Faith and extended her hand. “I'm sorry. That was a terrible thing to say and none of my business. JT is always telling me I'm overprotective. I'm Liz Richards, by the way. JT's sister.”

After a slight hesitation, Faith took her hand. “Faith McKenzie.”

Liz gave her a sympathetic smile. “JT told me what happened. How terrifying. Do you have any idea who might have done this?”

Just like his sister to cut straight to the heart of the matter. “Liz...” But it didn't matter, Faith wasn't listening. She was staring at Liz's locket.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

Faith looked as if she'd just seen something frightening before she shook her head. “No, it's nothing.” Even so, her voice came out strained.

Liz glanced around the enormous kitchen and at the disarray of someone who hadn't unpacked. “This house is wonderful, isn't it? I always loved the kitchen, but it's so big. Are you still settling in okay?”

Faith blushed slightly. “Um, yes, I guess. I'm still trying to find the right place for everything.” Of course, Liz knew Faith had been renting the house for a month. She'd been the one to tell JT about his new neighbor. His sister was picking up on all the same signs he'd noticed the day before.

“I see.” Clearly she didn't. Liz was all about organization. “Well, if you need any help, I'm available most days. I should warn you, though. I'm good at minimalizing. My poor husband is scared to death I'm going to throw away something he needs one day.”

Faith actually smiled then. “Thank you. I might take you up on your offer.”

“Good. Oh, and when you're ready, I'd be happy to show you around Hope Island. The city council renovated the downtown district a few years back. There are some nice shops and a great seafood restaurant. We could have lunch whenever you want.”

“I'd like that.”

Liz started to say something more when JT interrupted her. “Time to go.” Faith had been through enough without any more of his sister's interrogations.

“JT,” his sister protested as he ushered her to the door.

“Later, Liz. I promise we'll talk later.”

* * *

JT closed the door on his sister's protests and came back to Faith. “Sorry. She means well, but sometimes she doesn't know when to quit. How are you holding up?”

Truth be told, the reality of what Liz had said brought home the truth and scared her to death. “I'm fine, but she's right, you know. I had no business calling you, JT. You could have been killed.”

He reached out, clasping her hand in his. “Hey, I'm fine and I can take care of myself. Stop worrying.”

The heat of his touch made it suddenly hard to draw air into her lungs. Her heart hammered her chest as if she'd run a marathon. She could feel her misgivings crumbling.

Something shifted in his eyes as they held hers. “I think I'll make some more coffee...” he said absently as if it were hard to keep his thoughts together. “Would you like some?”

At first, the shrilling phone seemed disjointed. Unreal. As if part of the nightmare had found its way into a sweet dream. JT stared at her as unwelcome reality intruded between them.

He abruptly let her go, grabbed the phone from the counter and handed it to her. “Put it on speaker and try to keep him on the line as long as you can.”

Her fingers shook as she took the phone. She did as he asked and the familiar song filled the tense silence of the room. Time slowed to a crawl and then...he spoke.

“You shouldn't have gone to the police. You made a dreadful mistake. Now you're going to have to pay. It's your turn to die.”

The phone slipped from her hand and clattered against the floor.
He spoke.
Her mind reeled. He'd never uttered a word before. Faith drew in handfuls of air to keep from hyperventilating.

JT retrieved the phone from where it fell. “Hello? Hello, is anyone there?” With no answer, he dropped the phone on the counter. She could tell from his taut expression that the connection hadn't lasted long enough to trace the call.

He took out his phone and quickly punched in a number. “He just called. Did you get it?” he asked, his eyes glued to Faith. “Right. That's what I thought. I'll call you if anything new happens here.” JT disconnected the call.

“Another dead end?”

“Afraid so. My guess is now that he knows the police are involved this will be the last time we hear from him...by phone.” He didn't say as much but she knew. Her stalker was no longer toying with her.

“What aren't you telling us, Faith? There has to be more to the story than what you told Will and me earlier.” She started to deny it but he wouldn't let her. “I need the truth. All of it. And I need it now.” Frustration lent a hard edge to his voice.

Her hand went automatically up to tug at her top in an effort to hide the scar but he stopped her. His fingers gently pulled the collar away to reveal a raised red scar. “Please, just tell me.”

She sank down onto one of the barstools close by. “I was attacked. That much is true, but something else happened that night. Something horrible.” She couldn't read anything from his expression. She took a deep breath and continued. “The night of my assault, two people, my best friend and her father, were murdered.”

Shock filled his expression. “That's...terrible. What happened?” JT prompted when it was hard for her to keep going. Every time she thought about that night, what Rachel and Carl must have gone through, the guilt became staggering. Why had she been the one to live while they had to die? What did he want from her?

JT pulled out the stool next to hers. He was waiting for answers and she knew she desperately needed his help, but could she really tell another living soul all those appalling things?

The tenderness she saw in him helped her go on. “I don't know much about what happened. Just what I was told after the attack.”

“Okay,” he said gently. “Did the police have any idea what happened?”

Her hands shook and she clasped them together in her lap. “The police thought it started as a simple home invasion then something went wrong. He killed Rachel and her father right away. One theory is that I may have been in another part of the house at the time and the killer didn't realize it...or maybe I tried to get away and he caught me. All I know is two innocent people died that night.”

JT thought about what she'd said. “I'm guessing something must have happened to distract him.”

“I assume so. At least that's what the police believed. What I don't understand is why Rachel and Carl were killed and I wasn't. After he committed the murders, the killer set a fire to destroy evidence inside the house, but when the cops found me, I was outside and some distance from the house. I guess that after he attacked me I tried to escape, but if he took the time to set a fire, then why not take care of the only witness left who could place him at the scene?”

The thought of what Rachel's and Carl's final moments must have been like haunted her every day she lived and they didn't.

“You're right, it doesn't make sense. Even if something or someone did interrupt him, letting you live was a liability he couldn't afford. You obviously saw his face. When you said that no one was ever charged with the stalking, I take it no one was ever charged with their murders, either? What about suspects? Did the police like anyone for the murders?”

She had no idea if the police liked anyone for the murders. Every time she asked for information on the case, the police shut her down. They'd been less than forthcoming with the facts as well. It had taken weeks before she'd even learned the details of the fire.

“As far as I know, they never had anyone in mind.”

“So why did the police believe it might have been part of a home invasion?”

“Apparently there had been a string of home invasions around the area at the time.”

“Was anything reported missing from the Jennings' house?”

“That's the part that never made sense. If the person responsible for the crime went to such extremes as to take the lives of two people, then why not finish the job and rob the place? But according to Rachel's cousin, nothing was reported stolen.”

“Rachel's cousin?” JT prompted.

“Ben Jennings. He's the one who went through the house once it was cleared and told the police nothing appeared to be missing.”